Have you ever wondered how far you would go to protect the ones that you love? What if you fell in love with the enemy?

In this story, our mai4.5 stars

Have you ever wondered how far you would go to protect the ones that you love? What if you fell in love with the enemy?

In this story, our main character Vivienne, her two girls and her ailing mother in law live on the island of Guernsey. Her husband has been called to serve in the war and she has to decide whether or not to leave the island she calls home. This decision comes because of the rumors that the Germans are to occupy their island.

Through the book we are shown the daily life of Vivienne, her best friend, and her children. Soon not only the island, but the house next door are occupied by the enemy Germans. Vivienne tries to avoid the soldier's next door but soon they become part of her life....she soon falls in love with one of them.

Even though Vivienne eventually sees the harsh realities of war, from the work camps, starving prisoners, the rationing of food, the story is one that shows you never really know someone, no matter how close you are to them. It also shows that the ones you think are the worst, are actually some of the best.

I loved the writing in this story. Some things were predictable and you could see them coming, but there were many more surprises than predictions. This isn't really a book about a war, but the lives of people who the war affects and how they will never be the same.

What an amazing story. This is a non-fiction story of Hana Brady, an 11 yr old Jewish girl and Fumiko, a curator at a Japanese museum who is seeking tWhat an amazing story. This is a non-fiction story of Hana Brady, an 11 yr old Jewish girl and Fumiko, a curator at a Japanese museum who is seeking to teach Japanese children about the Holocaust.

The book is a quick read, but what a story it tells. It is written for grades 5-8. Fumiko wants to teach Japanese children some history on the Holocaust and is sent a suitcase of a young girl. All she has to go on is the name and birthdate on the suitcase. She calls writes and visits places hoping she will be able to find someone who can tell her more about Hana and what happened to her.

A wonderful introduction for younger children to learn the rich history of the Holocaust. ...more

The Bronze Horseman is a story that takes place as the bombing of Russia in WWII begins. Throughout the story you become mesmerized by the war torn LeThe Bronze Horseman is a story that takes place as the bombing of Russia in WWII begins. Throughout the story you become mesmerized by the war torn Leningrad, the starvation that the people endure, and the fear of being taken out of their homes. You are entranced by the relationship between 17 yr old Tatiana and Alexander who is an officer in the Red Army. The story is one of growth, strength, courage and love. I was completely blown away by this book. Even at its large size I finished it under 2 days, and still 4 months later think about it and its characters. The courage and strength that it took to endure the conditions of that time, the war, and the love will leave one spellbound for a long time after reading the final page....more

This is an autobiographical story of a Jewish woman living in Austria during the rise of the Nazi's power. Edith Hahn Beer was an intelligent and educThis is an autobiographical story of a Jewish woman living in Austria during the rise of the Nazi's power. Edith Hahn Beer was an intelligent and educated woman only one exam away from becoming a lawyer and judge until Hitler implemented a certain rule and she was dismissed from college.

As WWII progressed and the Jews were being "relocated" to work camps or being sent to their death, Edith was sent to work on a farm. When she returned home she realized what had been happening in her home of Vienna while she away, and what she had to do to survive.

The story is an account of the fear, lies, deceit and the surprising people who helped her survive. It is about completely losing the identity that she had held onto, becoming someone she never thought herself to be, and then slowly emerging as a stronger Jewish woman. She tells her story of fear, hunger, pain, love during a dark time in our world history.